FIGHT NIGHT
Shocking moment Carlisle players brawl in street after group of men ‘manhandle female friend’
TWO Carlisle players appear to have been embroiled in a heated brawl during a night out on Saturday.
A video showing a group of men getting involved in a fiery fight outside the Walkabout bar on Botchergate.
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Security staff intervened and put an end to the scrap, which took place after the Cumbrians suffered a 3-0 loss to Swindon that put them into League Two's relegation zone.
Carlisle : "Two first-team players were spoken to by police following an incident in the city centre on Saturday evening. They returned home shortly after and no further action was taken.
"The club is reviewing the incident with those involved and any appropriate action under the club’s code of conduct will be taken, as required. We will make no other comment at this stage."
Carlisle ace Omari Patrick issued a lengthy statement suggesting he was one of the two players appearing in the video.
Patrick claimed he was attending a birthday celebration and that the fight started after a female friend was "man handled" by a group of men.
He : "I'm aware of the responsibilities I have in representing Carlisle United Football Club, I take full responsibility for my actions on Saturday night.
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"The reason for being out was a birthday celebration, not to drown my sorrows and show a bad attitude for losing the game.
"The reason for my reaction was due to a female friend being man handled by a group of men, and for how I was treated and words that were said to me that were not football related - far worse - and in that case I felt I had to defend myself and the people who couldn't and shouldn't have to defend themselves.
"It doesn't excuse the fact I was there in the first place, but I wanted that to be understood instead of thinking I am a troublemaker, I should've known better. I apologise to the fans and the club for bringing this attention to them at a time like this.
"All I can say is I'll do my best on and off the pitch to make it right. I have nothing but respect to the club and the fans, I'm someone who sticks up for my friends and family and, of course, myself - and I'll continue to show how much I love playing for this club."
Patrick's team-mate Brennan Dickenson issued a statement of his own that also suggested he was the other player involved in the incident.
Dickenson echoed the forward's statements and also apologised to the club as well as the fans.
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He : "Firstly I would like to apologise to everyone associated with the club, fans, staff and players.
"With the current situation that we are in with regards to the league, it probably wasn't the best idea to be out especially in Carlisle itself whether it was a birthday or not. So I take full responsibility for Saturday night.
"What I would also like to say is that the video posted online does not show everything that happened. I feel that Omari was personally attacked for an unknown reason therefore he reacted in the way that he did. And my actions were a result of protecting my partner of 9 years as something happened inside the venue.
"So when you see and take the video at face value it looks terrible, however as stated above a lot more happened and just wanted to make this clear.
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"I will do my upmost to make it up to everybody, and prove myself again and not let anything like this happened [sic] again. I really hope everyone can accept my apology and we can move on from this.
"So let's concentrate on the football and keeping the club in the football league."
Carlisle manager Keith Millen insists the two players "understand and acknowledge" their actions.
Millen : “They understand and acknowledge completely that their actions were unacceptable.
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“We’ve dealt with it firmly and quickly as a club, and our focus is on working hard as we look towards another important game at the weekend.”
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